痒み

• Reading: かゆみ
• Romaji: kayumi
• Kanji breakdown: 痒 (you/kayu) — itch, itchy
• Pronunciation: /ka.jɯ.mi/

Meaning

Itch; itching; an uncomfortable skin sensation that makes you want to scratch.

A noun derived from the i-adjective 痒い (itchy) by replacing い with み, a common pattern for creating nouns from adjectives. Used in medical contexts and daily conversation. Also appears figuratively in the expression 痒いところに手が届く (attentive to every detail).

Examples

1. 蚊に刺されて痒みが止まらない。 I got bitten by a mosquito and the itching won't stop.
2. この薬を塗ると痒みが和らぎます。 Applying this medicine will relieve the itching.
3. アレルギーで目の痒みがひどい。 My eyes are really itchy from allergies.

Usage Guide

Context: medical, daily life, health

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Derived from the adjective 痒い (itchy) + the nominalizing suffix み. The kanji 痒 contains the illness radical 疒 indicating a bodily condition.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal